when you went head to head with obama in 2008, the polls said 51% obama, 38% mccain. do you think you would have done better against the obama that was debating this week? >> i think so, piers, but, you know, it would sound like i am now trying to rewrite history or i would have done better. you know, i've never tried to do any of that looking back and certainly not in anger or bitterness. but i think it is true that during the 2008 campaign, the president or then-senator obama had no record to defend. and one of the reasons why mitt did so well in this debate was because mitt was, i think, very legitimately attacking his record, whether it be the $90 billion in subsidies for energy or a number of the other things that -- the failure of dodd/frank, and so the president had a record to defend this time. but, one, do not underestimate the president of the united states. he will come back strong. i think mitt has to be prepared for that. and also, as you mentioned, these job numbers will give him a bit of -- or something of a boost today. >> we've got the vp debate comin